Two Killed, Three Hurt in Spate of Weekend Gang-Related Shootings

Two men were killed and three people wounded, including a 14-year-old boy, in four apparently gang-related shootings during the weekend, authorities said Sunday.

In the latest reported incident, Ahmon Simpson, 14, was standing in a driveway at 1706 E. 114th St. in Southeast Los Angeles about 10:15 p.m. Saturday when he was shot in the leg, police said. The assailants shouted out gang slogans before the shots were fired from a passing car, police said. About an hour later, a reputed gang member was shot in the back at Bixel and Court streets northeast of downtown. The victim, who was not immediately identified, was hospitalized with possible spinal cord damage, Sgt. Ray Heslop said.

On Friday night, Danny Perez, 20, was killed and Jaime Palmerin, 16, was wounded by a gunman in a car who opened fire on them about 7:30 as they rode a bicycle in East Los Angeles, Sheriff’s Sgt. Ernie Roop said. Palmerin was in guarded condition at County-USC Medical Center.

In Compton, David Berkley, 23, was shot and killed about 10 p.m. Friday in Tragview Park at Avalon Boulevard and Central Avenue, police said.

Authorities were investigating the shootings as gang related. No arrests had been made in any of the incidents.

Law enforcement officials believe the final gang death toll for 1988 will exceed 400, a new record for Los Angeles County. In 1987, 387 gang slayings were reported.